In a keynote speech in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mounted a sharp attack against the Opposition for indulging in dynastic politics and giving importance to family matters over the nation's interests.
On the contrary, he stood the BJP apart as a party that believed in inclusive growth and service to people.
Addressing a huge gathering, PM Modi dedicated and laid the foundation for a set of development projects totaling ₹3,880 crore.
Targeting political rivals, he said that some parties seem more interested in getting power for their kin than for the people.
“We are taking forward the idea of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. However, there are some whose only focus is to conspire to grab power, their only resolve is ‘Parivar ka Saath, Parivar ka Vikas’,” he stated, drawing a clear line between the BJP’s development agenda and what he termed as the self-serving motives of rival parties.
It came as Modi paid his 50th visit to Varanasi, where he also inaugurated 44 projects for development. His address specifically emphasized the BJP's position of opposition to nepotism in politics.
With regard to healthcare, the Prime Minister complimented the success story of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He reiterated that as much as providing free medical assistance to elderly persons, the project also provides them with dignity and peace of mind.
Recently, I got the chance to distribute Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cards to a number of senior citizens here. The smile of happiness on their faces was, for me, the biggest achievement of this scheme," Modi reminisced while pointing towards his own experience of interacting with beneficiaries.
He also discussed the growth of medical facilities in the area in the last ten years, remembering the critical condition of the healthcare system in eastern Uttar Pradesh before 2014.
"Purvanchal's medical facilities' condition before the previous decade is also well known. Now, things are different. My Kashi is turning into a health capital," he added.
Modi pointed out that high-quality medical care, previously restricted to metros such as Delhi and Mumbai, is now within reach locally.
"The metros' big hospitals have now reached near your homes. This is real development — when facilities reach people," he maintained.
He further added that in the last decade, the government had not only added healthcare facilities but also focused on sympathetic and respectful treatment of patients.
The Ayushman Bharat programme is nothing less than a boon for poor sisters and brothers. The programme is not only providing medical treatment but also trust," he added.
Speaking of his party's third successive mandate, Modi reiterated that he was determined to fulfill promises made to people.
"When you blessed us for the third time, we attempted to pay you back in kind through our service. It was my promise that free treatment for the elderly would be given. The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana is a fulfillment of that vow," he asserted.
In conclusion of his speech, the Prime Minister spoke of the revolutionizing impact of the 44 new development initiatives, hailing their capacity to improve infrastructure and public amenities across both rural and urban Varanasi.
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